Our loving, hard-working and, for the last 8 years, heartbroken, Dad, son, brother, uncle, sometimes hero and always friend; passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 17, 2015. We will miss the happy days of his big dreams, caring approach and his willingness to always stop and help (or at least get his boys to help) a friend in need. Mark was the first born son (and protector of all who came after) to Vera Louise and David Nelson Roberts on Christmas day 1950 in Port Hueneme, California.
Dad convinced his lifetime love, Julie Rae Snow, to elope to Las Vegas in September of 1971 and made official what had been written in the stars for eons. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles temple on July 21, 1976. They laughed, loved, worked, prayed and struggled through nearly 36 years of marriage together on earth before Julie's untimely passing in February of 2007. Now, at last, they labor together with an eye toward eternity.
Dad was many things during his life, he was a salesman, he was a manager, he was an account representative, he was a business owner and he was even a truck driver and a carpet cleaner. Dad was whatever he needed to be to try to make sure the bills were paid and to also find a way to make his wife feel like a Queen on a nickel budget. Often he worked miracles with nothing more than a smile, a firm handshake, and a shoeshine.
If there is one fact that should be remembered about Mark Henry Roberts, Sr. it is simply this: he loves Julie Rae Snow with all of his heart and all of his soul; and that the inverse of that is equally true, she loves him with all of her heart and all of her soul. While it is true that they raised 7 marvelous, successful, beautiful, dastardly, sniping, chippy, giving, driven, opinionated, accepting, off-kilter, soft-hearted, judgmental and "thankful they don't still live in my neighborhood, but wish I saw more of them" kids; it is our sincere hope and prayer that these two are always remembered together. That where once there were two, might now and forever be remembered as one.
To the guy we wrestled as kids, the nibbler of baby ears, the kisser of daughter-in-law's cheeks, the kisser of son's cheeks, the crier at Hallmark commercials, the crier at Budweiser commercials, the crier at most stuff, the grandpa who would whistle for the wolves, the dreamer of big dreams, and the man who hoped for better in the face of long odds; we bid you a temporary goodbye until we can all be together again.
Mark is survived by his children Lisa (Doug) Johnson, Eric (Cathy) Roberts, Tony (Megan) Roberts, Mark (Annie) Roberts, Todd (Erica) Roberts, Katie (Travis) Andra, and Cassie Roberts; mother Vera Roberts; siblings Cathy (Jim) Prentice, Donna (Tom) Schierberl, Tracy (Mark) Nelson, David Nelson Roberts Jr; Cindy (Fred) Kenney, Lori (Kurt) Davis, Mark (Angie) Snow, Scott (Jen) Snow, and Bobby Schmidt. Mark and Julie have also been blessed with 27 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Mark was preceded in death by his eternal companion Julie, his father David Nelson Roberts Sr; and his mother, father-in-law, Ray and Irene Snow and his brother in law Ben Snow.
A viewing for family and friends will be held on Sunday evening November 22, 2015 6 p.m. until 8 p.m and Monday 1 hour prior to service at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S) in Sandy
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 23, 2015 - 11:00 a.m. Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, interment to follow in Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to help defray the cost of interment. An account has been established at America First Credit Union in the name of Mark Henry Roberts Sr. and donations can be made online or at any branch location.
Condolences may be made at www.LarkinMortuary.com
